http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/THE-DARJEELING-LIMITED-Pulls-Out-Of-The-Station-With-Nothing.aspx Here is the problem with this movie, it is so incredibly pretentious in the creative sense that I am not sure if Wes Anderson got the memo that he should not take himself seriously due to the fact that he wears glasses that look like they were bought from the young girls section of the local J.C. Penny’s.  That being said, The Darjeeling Limited maintains a tongue-in-cheek integrity in a film tied together with themes about humanity, perseverance & family.  I almost feel like Wes Anderson finally watched Life Aquatic, realized what a bombastic, self-indulgent load of dung it was and wrote a movie exactly the opposite of it.  I am not even kidding. The Darjeeling Limited tells the story of three estranged brothers that meet in order to reestablish their bonds via the enlightenment of take a spiritual journey.  That doesn’t sound pretentious at all, does it?  Well it isn’t not at first.  The dialogue is all snap, crackle and pop.  Lean, clever writing that zips off the page and rings in the ears.  The script glows and actually saves the film entirely.  The problem becomes Wes Anderson and the creative process he uses in order to make his movie happen.  His insane ability to pay attention to every last detail has spiraled out of control from clever to annoying.  I’m sorry, but the film loses credibility when I find myself having to break away from it to critique the stupid knickknacks in the background.  It’s in my lame opinion that the film actually suffers from this because the viewer is forced on a frequent basis to acknowledge the fact that everything going on is fictional. The three brothers Jack, Francis & Peter Whitman (Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson & Adrien Brody respectively) come together for a journey through India on the Darjeeling Limited, a train.  The brother’s total inability to relate to one another without trust is highlighted almost immediately as Francis shows up with his face maimed and his brother’s questioning his competence and reliance behind his back.  Peter’s wife, Alice is pregnant.  Jack is breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s voicemails and has a secret ticket to use to get back to Italy.  The two share these secrets with one another, leaving Francis out of the loop intentionally.  In the same way, Francis hides the fact that the actual nature of this journey is not just a spiritual awakening, but to track down and visit with their mother (Angelica Huston) whom none of them have seen since before their father’s funeral. en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/THE-DARJEELING-LIMITED-Pulls-Out-Of-The-Station-With-Nothing.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/THE-DARJEELING-LIMITED-Pulls-Out-Of-The-Station-With-Nothing.aspx#1713 Seems like typical Wes Anderson fair. I'm in! Fabfish http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/THE-DARJEELING-LIMITED-Pulls-Out-Of-The-Station-With-Nothing.aspx#1713 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:13:26 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/THE-DARJEELING-LIMITED-Pulls-Out-Of-The-Station-With-Nothing.aspx#1826 I agree with Fabfish. I like his movies. Catyanna http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/THE-DARJEELING-LIMITED-Pulls-Out-Of-The-Station-With-Nothing.aspx#1826 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 07:21:17 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/THE-DARJEELING-LIMITED-Pulls-Out-Of-The-Station-With-Nothing.aspx#1963 looks funny will watch when comes to dvd tinkluvspan http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/THE-DARJEELING-LIMITED-Pulls-Out-Of-The-Station-With-Nothing.aspx#1963 Thu, 01 Nov 2007 23:37:15 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/THE-DARJEELING-LIMITED-Pulls-Out-Of-The-Station-With-Nothing.aspx#2496 im thinkin its going to be good needs50 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/09/THE-DARJEELING-LIMITED-Pulls-Out-Of-The-Station-With-Nothing.aspx#2496 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:05:14 GMT